Somerville Traffic Commission approves Bow Street, Washington Street curb changes unanimously

Other Committee · Meeting of March 12, 2026

Somerville Traffic Commission unanimously approved curb changes on Bow Street and Washington Street and received an extensive briefing on the Elm-Beacon Connector, the city's largest quick-build street project. The five-member commission voted 5-0 on both action items: converting a vacated Route 85 bus stop at 51 Bow Street into three metered spaces and a new 85-foot loading zone, and approving a raised intersection with two new crosswalks at Washington and Merriam Street along with a reconfigured bus stop layout. Mobility Director Brad Ross and project manager Adam Polinsky then walked commissioners through the Elm-Beacon Connector, which would add protected bike lanes on both sides of most of Elm Street, convert Mossland Street to a motor-vehicle dead end, and produce a net loss of 103 on-street parking spaces across the corridor.

A parking utilization study found roughly 188 to 200 spaces still available on weeknights in the project area even after the projected removals. Commissioners raised questions about lighting, traffic calming near the Porter Square shopping center, and construction timing near the Kennedy School; a formal vote is set for April, with implementation targeted to begin in July.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 930 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of March 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.